Parkland Boys Basketball Prepares for Season with Key Challenges

Parkland High School’s boys basketball team is gearing up for the upcoming season, facing challenges but retaining strong potential for success. The team, which is among the largest in Pennsylvania and the second largest in the Lehigh Valley, has been significantly impacted by overlapping sports seasons. Star athlete TJ Lawrence, a vital player for both the football and basketball teams, suffered a slight fracture of his fibula during the District 11 6A football final against Easton on November 14. As a result, he is expected to miss approximately six to eight weeks, returning around mid-January.

Last season, Lawrence contributed an average of 7.4 points per game, ranking second on the team behind fellow football player Blake Nassry, who led with 14.2 points per game. Lawrence’s impact extended beyond scoring; his passing, rebounding, and leadership were crucial for the Trojans, who rebounded from a quarterfinal loss in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference (EPC) tournament to win five consecutive games, including a third consecutive District 11 championship.

Despite Lawrence’s absence, Eddie Ohlson, in his third season as head coach, remains optimistic about the team’s prospects. He acknowledges the challenge of losing a player of Lawrence’s caliber but views it as an opportunity for others to step up. Ohlson highlights Javian Porter, who has shown promise during the summer and fall, as a key player expected to fill the void left by Lawrence.

Porter is eager to embrace his expanded role. He stated, “TJ is definitely going to be missed a lot, but we expect to get him back. I think things are coming along. We’re building it back. We’re communicating and playing as a team.” He emphasized the need for solid defense and teamwork as the season progresses.

The transition back to basketball for the football players has been smooth, according to both Porter and Ohlson. The players quickly reacclimated to the court, with many seniors on the team eager to achieve success. Finn Coen, a junior quarterback from the football team, is also expected to make notable contributions, alongside Marcus Temchattin, a promising 6-foot-3 freshman who could earn significant playing time.

Ohlson is keen on preparing his team for a competitive postseason. He has scheduled a challenging nonleague lineup, including matches against strong opponents such as Berks Catholic, Penncrest, Central York, Archbishop Carroll, St. Joe’s Prep, and Imhotep. This rigorous preparation aims to equip the Trojans for the demands of the playoffs.

The Trojans’ season opener is set for December 4 against Allen, with a series of nonleague games to follow. Last year, the team finished with a record of 19-10, placing second in the EPC with a 12-4 conference record. They lost in the EPC quarterfinals to Whitehall but showed resilience in the District 11 6A tournament, defeating Liberty, Allen, and Northampton to claim the championship.

As Parkland enters the new season, the team looks to build on last year’s achievements while navigating the absence of key players. With a deep roster and a commitment to teamwork, the Trojans aim to continue their tradition of success in Pennsylvania high school basketball.